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USA Today via Reuters
Dec 15, 2023; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) rects after scoring against the Phoenix Suns in the second half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports
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USA Today via Reuters
Dec 15, 2023; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) rects after scoring against the Phoenix Suns in the second half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports
The New York Knicks have become one of the most entertaining teams to watch in the NBA. Apart from being striking, the Knicks have delivered stellar performances on a nightly basis, winning 33 of their 52 games. The driving force behind an exceptional Knicks’ side is 27-year-old point guard Jalen Brunson. Brunson has overcome initial skepticism and negativity to establish himself as one of the biggest superstars of New York City.
Brunson’s popularity has reached new heights after he became an NBA All-Star this season. He also made an appearance on the Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon. During a segment on the show, Brunson turned to poetry to describe his stellar season with the Knicks so far. The verse read, “Hey now, you’re an All-Star. Get your game on, go play. Hey now, you’re a rockstar. Get the show on, get paid. In all that glitters is gold, only shooting stars break the mold.”
“Hey now, you’re an All-Star”pic.twitter.com/dmOfxgByGi
— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) February 10, 2024
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While Brunson is a certified star now, when the Knicks signed him in the summer of 2022 on a four-year contract worth $104 million, many felt that the Knicks had overpaid. Before the Knicks, Brunson played for the Mavericks for four seasons, averaging 11.9 points, 3.7 assists and 3 rebounds in 277 games. However, it took Brunson only a couple of months to silence his critics. In his very first season with the Knicks, Brunson averaged 24 points, 6.2 assists and 3.5 rebounds. Furthermore, he led the Knicks past the first round of the NBA playoffs for the first time since the 2012-13 season.
He has become a talismanic figure and a legitimate star for New York City. When quizzed by Fallon on whether he likes to prove his critics wrong, Brunson replied back by saying, “I feel like that’s what people on the outside think. But for me, I like to say that I’m proving to myself that I belong here. So, while I’m proving people wrong, I worked this hard to be here.” Brunson has certainly proven his doubters wrong, but can he lead the Knicks to an NBA title?
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Can the Knicks finally end their title drought?
It has been 51 long years since the New York Knicks last won an NBA title in 1973. Despite possessing players like Patrick Ewing, Carmelo Anthony and Allan Houston, the Knicks could never manage to win the NBA title. However, the long wait for the coveted Larry O’Brien trophy could come to an end very soon. The current iteration of the Knicks have become a legitimate title contender due to the savvy management of GM Leon Rose.
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The Knicks are basically a shoo-in for the 2024 playoffs. With a core group of players consisting of Brunson, Julius Randle and OG Anunoby, the Knicks would be a formidable opponent for even the best teams of the league. However, they miss a legitimate superstar who could take them to the next level. Only time will tell whether the Knicks can add that missing piece in the future. What are your thoughts? Can the Knicks win an NBA title in the near future? Let us know in the comments below!
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